Flushing apparatus



Hum w W67 R. M. EMERSQN ETAL m FLUSHING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jam@ 13, H97

Filed May 28, 1965 R. M. EMERSON ETAL.

FLUSHING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Bum m, m? R. M EMERSON ETA; www

FLUSHING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 28, 1965 3,324,481 FLUSHING APPARATUS Robert M. Emerson, 10738 Acama St., North Hollywood, Calif. 91602, and Verneur E. Pratt, 2000 Skyline Drive, Fullerton, Calif. 92631 Filed May 28, 1965, Ser. No. 459,686 9 Claims. (Cl. 4-28) This invention relates to ushing apparatus for toilet bowls and the like.

The common water flushing device used for conventional toilets generally found in a home today includes a tank containing a water inlet valve which is closed by means of a rod having a oat mounted therein. A second valve closes a discharge port disposed at the lowermost portion of the water tank and is operated by a handle disposed outside the tank and connected to the second discharge valve. It is not uncommon that these mechanisms do not function satisfactorily and it is typical that the discharge valve does not fit well with the discharge port so that the water inlet valve activated by the float does not properly close. It is evident that there is an excessive waste of water in addition to noise generated by these faulty tting valves along with the disadvantages attendant to the inconvenience and the cost of the repair of this apparatus.

In many parts of the country, the conventional Water supplies contain excessive amounts of miner-als which progressively deposit upon water pipes and all objects which are constantly or periodically in contact with water. Extended contact allows minerals to deposit upon closely tting valve parts and progressively allows more and more deposits to prop the valve open, leading to a waste of water and to a constant operation of the valving apparatus.

Conventional toilet flushing apparatus includes a certain quantity of water which is held in a reservoir generally holding four or five gallons which amounts to an extended hydrostatic head that tends to keep a discharge valve closed. An externally mounted operating handle is at times difficult to operate in order to open the discharge valve since a considerable amount of pressure tends to keep this valve in a closed position. Many persons have found diliculty in operating this apparatus. This operating problem has led to the discovery of an electrically operated device for flushing apparatus of the conventional household toilet which enables an individual `to operate the apparatus with a minimum of force applied to an operating button, However, such prior art electrically operated devices for toilets are not operable in the event of a power fail-ure and are considered unattractive because of the sanitary problem which might arise during a power failure.

While some have attempted to improve the conventional lushing apparatus, their attempts have not been too successful and generally are too complex for the conventional household toilet.

In accordance withpthe present invention, many of the disadvantages present in prior art flushing apparatus have been eliminated. One of the features of a iiushing apparatus according to the present invention is its quiet operation, and self-cleaning construction so as to prevent the formation of mineral deposits. Another important feature of the invention is directedrto an electrically operated llushing device which is easy to operate. A related feature of this invention is directed to a flushing .apparatus which is electrically operated and performs its operation with a simple structure. Another related feature of this invention is directed to an electrical-1y operated flushing device which may be alternatively hand-operated so that the apparatus may be used durin-g periods of power failure. Another feature of this invention is directed to an operating apparatus which is not in contact with the water within the water tank during periods of non-operation.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a toilet bowl flushing device which includes a water tank having an outlet plugged by a non-buoyant ball. The tank includes a water inlet and preferably an air vent at the top of the tank which is closed by a suitable valve when the tank is full. The inlet is preferably unrestricted so that the water pressure inside of the tank is equal to the inlet water pressure, i.e. 40 to 50 p.s.i. See for example U.S. Patent No. 3,041,629 which issued to V. E. Pratt on July 3, 1962.

A support is mounted adjacent the water tank outlet and .a lift arm is movably mounted on the support. The lift arm includes a cam surface aligned with the nonbuoyant ball to force the ball into an open position upon movement of the arm. A cam follower engages with a timer cam and is coupled with the lift arm such that the motion of the timer cam is transmitted to the lift arm. A motor is coupled to the t-imer cam for moving the cam a predetermined distance. A bleed valve is disposed in the ilowermost portion of the reservoir tank and adjacent to the ball plugging the water outlet. The movable lift arm also preferably includes a cam surface which is aligned with the bleed valve such that the bleed valve is opened -before the lift arm forces the ball from the tank outlet thereby releasing the high pressure within the tank and enabling the ball to be lifted from the tank outlet without an c xtreme amount of pressure.

In the preferred embodiment an operating handle is arranged to be moved to a rst position to energize the motor that operates the timer cam or alternatively to be moved to a second position wherein it engages the lift .arm to force the ball from the outlet by the mechanical movement of the handle. i

Another aspect of the invention includes a water tank having an inlet that is substantially tangent to the inside wall of the tank to clean the ball and the lower portion of the tank with a swirling action.

The invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the draw-ings in which: Y

FIG. l is a side elevation of a conventional toilet bowl including a llushing device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l and illustrating the water reservoir of the ilushing device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional View taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2 and showing a control for the flushing device;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the control as illustrated in FIG. 3 illustrated with the cover removed from the device; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the water inlet into the flushing device.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional rear spudded washdown type toilet bowl is supported by a floor 11. A vertically extending tank 12 is secured to the rear of the bowl 10 by means of an elbow 14. The tank 12 is disposed between conventional studding having front and rear surfaces 16 and 18, respectively. A panel (not shown) is removably fastened to the front surface 18 to provide access to the tank 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tank 12 includes an inlet 20 which is connected to a suitable source of liquid or water under pressure by means of an inlet pipe 22 which may be a standard service pipe which is inserted within a housing 26 and secured thereto in a watertight relationship. Preferably the inlet pipe 22 and the housing 26 are both formed from a conventional polyvinyl chloride rigid plastic and may be assembled together by using a solvent which can rmly bind the components together in a watertight relationship. The tank 12 includes an outlet 28 through which water impounded within the tank 12 may flow into the toilet bowl 10. An annular gasket v30 which may be formed from molded butyl rubber or neoprene is secured within the housing 26 by a retainer 31 threaded into the lower extremity of the housing 26 concentric with the outlet 28. A plurality of inwardly extending teeth 32 are yformed on the retainer .31. The gasket 30 includes an annular valve seat 33. A hollow support 34 is coupled to the housing 26 and includes an O-ring seal 35 disposed within an annular shaft retaining ring 36 to abut the lower portion of the housing 26 to thereby serve to prevent leakage between the housing and the support. The support 34 includes a centrally disposed discharge opening or chamber 3,7 through which the water impounded in the tank 12 fiows to ush the toilet bowl. The chamber 37 is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone which serves to prevent an accumulation of foreign matter or waste. The housing 26 includes a vertically extending fiange 38 which is suitably secured in a watertight manner to the bottom of a stand pipe 39 which forms the central portion of the tank 12.

A valve member such as a plastic non-buoyant ball 40 Y is disposed within the tank 12 and adapted to cooperate with the annular seat 33 formed by the gasket 30 to provide a water discharge check valve which closes the outlet of the tank and prevents water flow therethrough. The teeth 32 formed on the retainer 31 serve to prevent undue distortion of the gasket 30 by the ball 40. A perforated cage 41 is secured to the interior of the stand pipe 39 and is disposed in spaced relation lwith the plastic ball 40. A plastic buoyant ball 42 is arranged to float within the tank 12 and is adapted to cooperate with an annular seat 43 formed by a gasket 44 to provide an air vent or air release check valve. The cooperation of balls 40 and 42 serve to retain water within the tank 12 under line pressure. The gasket 44 rests upon a conically shaped cap 45 that includes a downwardly extending ange 46 that meets with the upper portion of the stand pipe 39 and is suitably secured thereto in a watertight manner. A hollow housing 47 abuts the basket 44 and is secured to the top of the cap 45- by a threaded ring 48y that includes a lip 49 engaging an annular flange y50 formed on the hollow housing 47. The interior of the cap 45 is a conically shaped surface which serves to direct the upward movement of the ball 42 when the water within the tank 10 reaches a predetermined level to thereby close the annular seat 43. 'Ihe housing 47 is vented to atmosphere by means of a return pipe `52 which is connected to the housing 47 and extends downwardly into a concentrically round collar 53 of a larger diameter than the pipe 52 so that air is -free to flow between the collar 53 and the pipe 52. The collar 53 is secured at its lower end to a drain pipe 54 which in turn is connected at its lower end to the housing 26 to drain any water which may flow within the housing 47 and a return pipe 52 into the chamber 37 and to the toilet bowl connected thereto.

A lift arm 55 is used to lift the ball 40 from its seat 33 and thus open the outlet 28. The lift arm 55 includes a cam surface 56 on its top portion and is secured to an operating shaft 57 that is journaled upon a bearing 58 formed in the housing `26. The lift arm 55 includes a first and a second finger 59 and 60 integrally formed thereon with the cam surface 56 disposed on one side of the finger 59. Therefore, as the operating shaft 57 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction when viewing FIG. 2, both the fingers 59 and `60 move in unison.

To reduce the pressure within the tank 12 prior to lifting the ball 40 from its seat 33, the finger 60 is arranged to operate a bleed valve generally indicated at 61. This bleed valve 61 includes a non-buoyant ball 62 serving to close a valve seat 63 formed on an O-ring seal 64. The valve 61 includes a tubular shaft valve housing 65 having an annular shaft lip 66 for retaining the O-ring seal 64. The housing 65 is threaded within an opening 67 formed on one side of the housing 26 which provides fluid communication between the tank and the bleed valve 61. As the lift arm 55 is moved in the counterclockwise direction by the rotation of the operating shaft 57, the ball 62 is lifted from its seat 63 permitting water to drain from the tank 12 thereby reducing the pressure therein. A rib 68 is disposed within the opening 67 in the housing 26 and serves to limit the upper movement of the ball 62. After ball 62 is lifted, the non-buoyant ball 40 is lifted from its seat by the lift arm 55 permitting water within tank 12 t0 flow into the bowl 10. The fluid pressure of water impounded within the tank 12 serves to force the ball g 62 upon its seat 63 after each ushing operation so that the non-buoyant ball 62 will resume its position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

An electrically operated timing device 70 is used to hold the ball 40 off its seat a sufficient time to drain the tank 12 to fiush the bowl 10 and to refill the bowl to a desired level. The timing device 70 is coupled to the tank 12 for operating the shaft 57 upon the demand of the user. The timing device 70 is operable either by electrical means or alternatively by manual means in those cases when electrical power is not available. The timing device 70 includes a hollow housing 71 having a rod 72 slidably mounted within a journal bearing 73. An operating handle in the form of a button 74 extends from the rod 72 and is held in an outward position by a coil spring 75 that encircles the rod 72 and abuts the journal bearing 73 and the button 74. A cam head 76 is secured to one. end of the rod 72 and includes an annular shaped groove 77 formed at its mid-portion. An arm assembly 78 is mounted within the housing 71 and is supported upon a shaft 79 which is journaled in a Suitable bearing in one side of the housing 71. A first and a second arm 80 and 81, respectively, extend from a hub 82 that is mounted upon the shaft 79 and serve to transmit the motion of the cam head 76. A roller 83 is mounted on one end of the first arm 80 and engages the annular groove 77 on the cam head 76 such that reciprocal movement of the rod 72 either inwardly or outwardly of the housing 71 will force the roller 83 out of engagement with the groove 77 and pivot the arm assembly 78 in a counterclockwise direction when viewing FIG. 3. Movement of the arm assembly 78 causes the second arm 81 to engage an operating lever 84 extending from a conventional normally OFF microswitch 85. This switch 85 is electrically coupled to a conventional electric motor 86 energized from a power source 87.

A shaft 88 extends from the motor 86 and extends into the housing 71 for operating the timing device 70. A pinion gear 89 is formed on one end of the motor shaft 88 and is constantly engaged with a first spur gear 90 that includes a shaft 91 extending from both sides of the gear terminating in a pair of outwardly extending bearing surfaces 92 and 93 that are journaled within the housing 71. The pinion 94 is formed on one end of the shaft 91 and is -driven at the same speed as the gear 90. A second spur gear 95 is engaged with the pinion 94 and includes a shaft 96 extending from opposite sides of the gear that are journaled within suitable bearings in the housing 71. A pinion 97 (see FIG. 4) is formed on the shaft 96 on the second spur gear 95 and is engaged with a third spur gear 98 formed on the timer cam 99. A groove 100 is formed in the surface of the timer cam 99 and has a shape which mates a roller 101 that is rotatably mounted upon the operating lever 84 of the switch 85. Thus, as the operating button 74 forces the cam head 77 to move from the position illustrated in FIG. 4, the arm assembly 78 is pivoted to force the lever 84 to close the normally open switch 85 and operate the motor 86. The energization of the motor rotates the pinion `89 providing power to the gear train to finally rotate the timer cam 99 through a single rotation until the roller 101 engages the gnoove 100 where it permits the lever 84 to disengage the switch 85 and cease operation of the timing device 70.

The timer cam 99 includes the shaft 102 extending from opposite sides which is journaled within bearings 103 and 104 formed in the housing 71. The cam 105 eX- tends from one side of the cam timer 99 and has a cam surface 106 that has an irregular shape that permits a roller 107 mounted upon a cam follower 108 to ride along its surface and thus cause the cam follower 108 to pivot in accordance with the position of the cam 105. The cam follower 103 is rigidly secured to the operating shaft 57 and thus controls the operation of the lift arm 55. Thus, in operation, a depression of the operating button 74 engages the switch S5 and the motor 06 to rotate the cam timer 99 through a single rotation through the medium of the gear train to pivot cam follower 108 and thus open the bleed valve 61 and force the ball 40 from its seat 33.

rIhe cam surfaces on the lift arm finger 60 are so positioned to first open the bleed valve 61 and allow enough Water to surge through the valve 61 and relieve the pressure within the tank 12. The ball 42 will drop from its seat `43 so that the water pressure on the top surface of the water within the tank is equal to the atmospheric pressure. Further rotation of the shaft 57 causes the cam surface 56 on the second finger 59 of the lift arm 55 to engage and lift the non-buoyant ball 40 from its seat. The shape of the cam surface 56 is such that the ball 40 is rocked from position to assume a second position as outlined in phantom lines in FIG. 2. The particular shape and location of the lift arm is such that the water within the tank 12 is able to rush out of the elbow 14 into the bowl 10 without any major obstructions and thus aids in self-cleaning the interior of the tank 12 as well as the bowl 10. As the ball 40 is lifted from its seat 33, the water within the tank is quickly delivered to the toilet bowl 10.

To delay the return of the lift arm 55 to its position illustrated in 52 during the flushing operation, the cam follower 103 and its roller 107 follows the shape of the cam 105 and the time for a single rotation of the timer 99 is regulated by the gear train and the speed of the motor 86. The time for rotating the cam 105 is generally regulated to permit the total amount of water to iiow throug-h the outlet 28 into the tank 12 and also to deliver an additional amount of water from the inlet 22 to the toilet bowl.

The operating button 7d is returned to its original position after the toilet bowl is flushed. After the timer cam 99 completes its single revolution, the operating shaft 57 and the lift arm 55 permit the bleed valve 61 to close and the ball 40 to assume its position in engagement with its seat 33. The incoming water through the inlet 22 will fill the tank 12 and cause the ball 52 to rise with the Water level. When the tank is filled, the ball 42 engages its seat 43 thereby sealing the tank 12 from atmosphere and per- 6 mitting the pressure within the tank it'o 'a'ssm'e the pressure of the incoming water.

In those cases where the power supply 87 is inoperative, the device 70 may be manually operated by pulling the button 74 outwardly relative tothe housing 71. The movement of the rod 72 is transmitted through a chain link 110 and to a manual override lever 111. The movement of the rod 72 pivots an arm 112 which is loosely mounted upon the shaft 57 through the medium of a projection 113 eX- tending from one end of the arm 112 and aligned with the manual override lever 111. Thus, as the button 74 is pulled outwardly, the manual override lever 111 through the cooperation of the arm 112 pivots the shaft 57 and permits the lift arm to operate the bleed valve 61 and the ball 40'in a manner similar to that described above. The button 74 must be pulled out for a suiiicient time to permit the tank 12 to empty and to allow additional water to flow through the inlet 22 and to fill the bowl 10. Release of the button 74 allows the rod 57 and the lift arm 55 to assume the position illustrated in FIG. 3 and the tank 12 is filled with water in a manner as outlined above.

What is claimed is:

1. In a toilet bowl flushing device including a water tank having an outlet plugged by a non-buoyant ball, the combination comprising:

a support mounted adjacent the water tank outlet,

a lift arm movably mounted on the support and including a cam surface aligned with the ball,

a timer cam movably mounted on the support,

a cam follower engaged with the timer cam and coupled to the lift arm, and

a motor means coupled to the timer cam for automatically moving the cam a predetermined span to lift the non-buoyant ball from the outlet and for terminating the movement to permit the non-buoyant ball to close.

the outlet.

2. In a toilet bowl flushing device including a water tank having an outlet plugged by a ball, the combination comprising:

a support mounted adjacent the water tank outlet,

a lift arm mounted on the support and including aV cam surface aligned with the ball,

a timer cam movably mounted on the support,

a cam follower engaged with the timer cam and coupled to the lift arm to move the lift arm and raise the non-buoyant ball from the outlet in response to a predetermined movement of the timer cam, j

a motor coupled to` the timer camfor automatically moving the cam a predetermined span and terminating the movement, i

a switch coupled to the motor and including an arm engaged with the timer cam to be controlled thereby, and

an operating handle coupled to the switch closing the switch to start the motor.

3. In a toilet bowl `flushing device including a water tank having an outlet plugged by a ball, the combination comprising:

a support mounted adjacent the water tank outlet,

a lift arm mounted on the support and including a cam surface aligned and juxtaposed with the ball to lift the ball from the outlet when the lift arm is moved,

a timer cam movably mounted on the support,

a cam follower engaged with the timer cam and coupled to the lift arm to move the lift arm and raise the non-buoyant ball from the outlet in response to a predetermined movement of the timer cam,

a motor coupled to the timer cam for automatically moving the cam a predetermined span and terminating the movement,

a switch coupled to the motor and including an arm engaged with the timer cam to be controlled thereby, and

for initially an operating handle coupled to the switch for initially closing the switch to start the motor,

the operating handle being coupled to the lift arm to enable the ball to be shifted by the lift arm when the motor is inoperative.

4. In a toilet bowl flushing device including a water tank having an outlet plugged by al ball, the combination comprising:

a support mounted adjacent the water tank outlet,

a lift arm mounted on the support and including a cam surface aligned with the ball and a shaft rotatably mounted on thesupport to lift the ball from the outlet when the arm shaft is rotated,

a timer cam rotatably mounted on the support,

aV link coupled to the lift arm shaft and engaging the timer cam,

a motor coupled to the timer cam for automatically rotating the carn a predetermined distance and terminating the movement,

a switch coupled to the motor and including an arm engaged with the timer cam to be controlled thereby,

an operating handle movably mounted on the support and includinga head. portion,

an arm assembly pivotally mounted on the support andy including a first arm abutting the switch and a second arm disposed adjacent the operating handle head portion and serving to operate the switch when the handle is operated,

a manual override lever pivotally mounted on the lift arm shaft and including a portion which is aligned with the link, and

the operating handle is coupled to the manual override lever to permit the lift arm to be rotated manually in the event the motor is inoperative.

5. In a toilet bowl flushing device including a water tank having an outlet plugged by a ball, the combination comprising:

a support mounted adjacent the water tank outlet,

a lift arm including a linger disposed' neXt to the ball and a shaft rotatably mounted on the support to lift the ball from the outlet when the shaft is rotated,

a timer cam rotatably mounted on the support,

a link coupled to the lift arm shaft and engaging the timer cam to rotate the lift arm shaft in response to a predetermined rotation of the timer cam,

a motor coupled to the timer cam for automatically rotating the cam a predetermined distance and terminating the movement,

a switch coupled to the motor and including an arm engaged with the timer cam to be controlled thereby,

an operating handle movably mounted on the support and coupled to the switch for initially closing the switch and starting the motor,

a manual override lever pivotally mounted on the lift arm shaft and including a portion which is aligned with the lift arm link, and

the operating handle is coupled to the manual override lever to permit the lift arm to be rotated manually in the event the motor is inoperative.

6. A flushing device comprising:

a vertically disposed cylindrical tank having a water inlet and awater outlet disposed in a lowermost portion of the tank,

theA tank includes an air vent disposed in. an uppermost portion of the tank,

a buoyant Iball which mates with the tank air vent,

a non-buoyant ball which mates with the tank water outlet,

a bleed valve disposed in the lowermost portion of the tank and. disposed adjacent to the water outlet,

the bleed valve includes a valve and a valve seat with the valve exposed toward the interior of the tank such that the contents of the tank tend to close the valve,

arlift arm movably mounted on the tank and including two cams that are aligned one each with the bleed valve and the non-buoyant ball,

the lift arm cams being arranged so that the bleed valve will open before the non-buoyant ball is lifted from the tank outlet, and

mean-s coupled to the lift arm for moving the lift arm into engagement with the bleed valve and the nonbuoyant valve to open the tank water outlet.

7. A flushing device comprising:

a vertically disposed cylindrical tank having a horizontally mounted water inlet and a water outlet disposed in a lowermost portion of the tank,

the tank includes an air vent disposed in an uppermost portion of the tank,

a buoyant ball which mates with the tank air vent,

a non-buoyant ball which mates with the tank water outlet,

a bleed valve disposed in the lowermost portion of the tank and disposed adjacent to the water outlet,

the bleed valve includes a valve and a valve seat with the valve entirely exposed toward the interior of the tank such that the contents of the tank tends to close the valve,

a left arm rotatably mounted on the tank and having two cams that are aligned one each with the bleed valve and the non-buoyant ball,

the lift arm cams are aligned with the bleed valve such that the bleed valve will open before the non-buoyant valve is opened,

the lift arm is disposed adjacent the tank outlet with the cams out of the main stream of flow through the tank outlet, and

a means coupled to the lift arm for moving the lift arm into engagement with the bleed valve and the nonbuoyant ball.

8. A flushing device comprising:

a. vertically disposed cylindrical tank having a horizontally mounted Water inlet and a water outlet disposed in a lowermost portion of the tank,

the tank includes an air vent disposed in an uppermost portion of the tank,

a buoyant ball which mates with the tank air vent,

a non-buoyant ball which mates with the tank water outlet,

a bleed valve disposed in the lowermost portion of the tank and disposed adjacent to the water outlet,

the bleed valve includes a ball and a valve seat with the ball entirely exposed toward the interior of the tank such that the contents of the tank tend to close the valve,

a lift arm movably mounted on the tank and including two lingers that are aligned one each with the bleed valve and the non-buoyant ball,

the lift arm fingers are aligned with the bleed valve and the non-buoyant ball in such a manner that the bleed valve will be opened before Athe non-buoyant valve is opened,

the lift arm finger aligned with the bleed valve ball initially abuts the ball at a point adjacent the valve seat and rocks the ball into an open position, and

means coupled to the lift arm for moving the lift arm into engagement with the bleed valve and the nonbuoyant valve.

9. A flushing device comprising:

a vertically disposed cylindrical tank having a horizontally mounted water inlet and a water outlet disposed in a lowermost portion of the tank,

the tank includes an air vent disposed in an uppermost portion of the tank,

a buoyant ball which mates with the tank air vent,

a non-buoyant ball which mates with the tank water outlet,

a bleed valve disposed in the lowermost portion of the tank and disposed adjacent to the water outlet,

the bleed valve includes a valve and a valve seat with the valve disposed toward the interior of the tank,

9 10 a support mounted adjacent the Water tank outlet, the operating handle is coupled to the manual override a lift arm including a pair of lingers aligned one each lever to permit the lift arm to be rotated manually with the non-buoyant ball and the bleed valve and in the event the motor is inoperative. a shaft rotatably mounted on the support to lift the non-buoyant ball and the bleed valve upon rotation 5 References Cited of the shaft,

a .timer cam rotatably mounted on the support, UNITED STATES PATENTS a link coupled to the lift arm shaft and engaging the 1,305,145 5/ 1919 Meyer 4--28 timer cam to rotate the lift arm shaft when lthe timer 1,501,620 7/ 1924 Reed 4-28 cam is rotated, 10 1,586,079 5/ 1926 Formaneck 4-28 a motor coupled .to the timer cam for automatically 2,448,231 8/ 1948 Molloy 4-41 rotating the cam a predetermined distance and ter- 2,552,625 5/1951 Fiuiung 4 101 minafing the movement, 3,041,629 7/1962 Pratt 4-28 a switch coupled to the motor and including an arm engaged with the timer cam .to be controlled thereby, 15 FOREIGN PATENTS an operating handle movably mounted on the support 744,156 11/1935 France and coupled to the switch for initially closing the switch and starting the motor, LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

a manual override lever pivotally mounted on the lift arm shaft and including a portion which is aligned 20 H K' ARTIS Asssmlt Exammer' with the lift arm link, and 

1. IN A TOILET BOWL FLUSHING DEVICE INCLUDING A WATER TANK HAVING AN OUTLET PLUGGED BY A NON-BUOYANT BALL, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A SUPPORT MOUNTED ADJACENT THE WATER TANK OUTLET, A LIFT MOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT AND INCLUDING A CAM SURFACE ALIGNED WITH THE BALL, A TIMER CAM MOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT, A CAM FOLLOWER ENGAGED WITH THE TIMER CAM AND COUPLED TO THE LIFT ARM, AND A MOTOR MEANS COUPLED TO THE TIMER CAM FOR AUTOMATICALLY MOVING THE CAM A PREDETERMINED SPAN TO LIFT THE NON-BUOYANT BALL FROM THE OUTLET AND FOR TERMINATING THE MOVEMENT TO PERMIT THE NON-BUOYANT BALL TO CLOSE THE OUTLET. 